A news bulletin is the mainstay of a radio station’s daily broadcasting and listeners expect to hear a balance of stories – some heavy and some light, some about major events and some about people. They also expect that the pace will vary – sometimes slowing down to allow listeners to catch their breath, other times speeding up to keep them interested. It is important to get these variations in pace right so that the bulletin is well structured and coherent.
It is usual to use a special theme or jingle to announce the news and, occasionally, short music inserts to separate different sections of the bulletin. These are known as stabs and they help to add variety and interest to the bulletin. They also give the newsreader a break from reading. They can also be used to prove that a piece of actuality is genuine by allowing listeners to hear the voices of the people they are hearing about.
It is important to always read a story as if you were telling it to a friend. That means keeping the sentences short and using clear simple language. It is essential to pause occasionally when reading and to pronounce foreign names correctly. It is also a good idea to practice reading a piece of text out loud before it goes out on air and, when possible, to record the speech beforehand. This helps the newsreader to sound natural and confident.
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